Point illuminating and magnifying attachment for looping machines



Sept. 6, 1949.

S. SCHWARTZ POINT ILLUMINATING AND MAGNIFYING ATTACHMENT FOR LOOPINGMACHINES Filed Sept. 18, 1946 SHEPARD SCHWARTZ Patented Sept. 6, 1949POINT ILLUMINATING AND MAGNIFYlNG ATTACHMENT FOR LOOPING MACHINESShepard Schwartz, Nashville, Tenn., assignor to May Hosiery Mills,Davidson County, Tenn.

Application September 18, 1946, Serial No. 697,703

This invention relates to improvements in looping machines andparticularly to an improved means for providing proper illumination andmagnification of the points or needles of such a ma: chine during thework applying operation.

'In the manufacture of hosiery there'is an intermediate stage at whichthe hosiery is complete except that the toe portion of each stocking isopen. This opening is closed by an operation using a circular or dialtype looping machine. In operating such a machine, the loops along theterminal edges at opposite sides of the opening in the stocking toe aresuperimposed and inserted by hand over theradially proj ectingneedles orpoints carried by the dial portion of the looping machine. Thisoperation is accomplishedwhile the machine is operating and the pointsare moved past the operator. After all of the loops are properly placedon the dial points, the points are carried into the sewing mechanism ofthe machine where the loops are secured together to complete thestocking. The operation of placing the loops on the dial points iscommonly referred to in the art as the running on" operation and is avery tedious and exacting operation because of the small size and closearrangement of the fabric loops and the correspondingly fine pointedclosely spaced dial'points or needles. Because of the fineness of theWork it is rather common under ordinary conditions for the operator tooccasionally miss applying one or more loops in the proper manner to thedial points which results in an imperfect seem by reason of which thefinished stocking may have to be rejected or placed. in a subo nateprice group. The operation also results in considerable eye strain andnervous fatigue on the part of the operator so that the effi iency ofthe operators on this type of machine .fiicult to maintain at areasonably high level.

It is conceived that adequate localillumination of the dial points and amagnification of the points and loops during the running on operationwould have a very beneficial effect not only in eliminating missed ordropped loops but also in relieving the strain and fatigue on theoperator thereby resulting in a' much higher production or stockingshaving perfect seams.

Lenses and lens supporting devices for magnifying the loops and dialpoints have been previously proposed but such previously proposedarrangements have been subject to material defects and objection andhave not met with a high degree of commercial success.

One of the defects of thepreviously proposed 6 Claims; (01. 112 -25)devices is that they have failed to properly combine the illuminationand magnifying means in a manner to provide the most suitable conditionsfor observing the points and loops during the running on operation. Withpreviously proposed devices it has also been necessary for the operatorto manually adjust the magnifying lens and move it by hand to keep itproperly focused on the point at which the Work is being applied, As theoperators hands are fully occupied with running the stocking loops on tothe dial points, it is practically impossible to manually move the lensat the same time. This results in the condition in which the lens isfrequently not properly 1posi tioned to focus on the point at which thework is being applied. The lens may thus become more of a hindrance thana help to the operator, particularly if the condition causes theoperator to assume tense and strained positions in the attempt tocompensate for the improper lens position and may at times causeadditional eye strain because of the out of focus condition.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to providevisual aid means for a looping machine in the form of a magnifying lenshaving a support so constructed and arranged that the lens can beadjusted to the proper position without the necessity of removing theoperators hands from the work.

It is also an object to provide visual means for a looping machine inwhich a magnifying lens and a source of illumination are properlycombined to provide the optimum condition for visibility in applyingwork to the machine.

A still further object resides in the provision of improved visual aidmeans for a looping machine which may be applied to an existing machinewithout requiring modification or rearrangement of any of the machineparts.

Another object resides in the provision of an improved visual aid meansfor a looping machine which is simple and economical in construction andmay be easily applied to existing machines without incurring anyexcessive costs and which, While providing material assistance inimproving the visibility of the work, will not cause inconvenience tothe operator in other Ways.

' Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds in connection with the accompanying drawing in which likereference numerals are used to designate similar parts throughout.

' In the drawings, the single figure is a diagrammatical elevationalview of a portion of a looping machine showing the application of theimproved visual aid means thereto, the visual aid means being shownpartly in section to better illustrate the construction thereof.

With continued reference to the drawing, a looping machine ofconventional construction is generally indicated at it, portions thereofsuch as the loop sewing mechanism being ornitted in order tosimplify-the drawing. f 1'2" In the machine illustrated, a baseportionI2 is supported by suitable means such as the cantilever arm l4 andincludes suitable mecha-' nism by means of which an operative; drive istransmitted from a drive element, xsuch 'as'the shaft E6, to therotatable dial ilh The dial carries'a circular series of pointsorneedlesjll'towhich the loops edging the seam to be formed" areapplied.

A stud 22 extends upwardly from the machine substantially coaxiallywiththe dial IB'aridf ls fixed relative to the support l4.

I An anti-friction bearing, such as the ball hearing generally indicatedat 24,"is secured to' the upper end portion of stud 22; In thearrangement illustrated, the inner r'ace26 or'the'beari'ng s forced uponthe end of the stud and against a clampcollar '28 with a press fit whichprovidesa sufficiently rigidconnection between the inner raceand thestud. A disc 3il'ha s'a cylindrical flange portion 32 intowhich theouter race 34 of i the bearing is forced with a press fit: to pro- Videa rigidcon nection between the outer race and the disc. Thus bymeans ofthe antifi'iction bearing z l thje disc is rotatably supported upon theupper end of stud 32. If desired the disc may have a peripheralreinforcing bead 36.

An arm 33 extends across the top of the disc and issecured thereto bysuitable means such as bolts, one of which is indicated at 43, and mayhave an end portion bent over the bead36 if desired. This arm 38 mayhave attached thereto adjacent the edge of the disc, the'bracket portion42 of a lamp guard 44. The guard 44 carries a bulb is positioned todirect its light on to the dial points 26 at the location at which thework i is applied to the points. Electrical current may be supplied tothe bulb through conventional wires48. fl

Attached to the arm 36 or to the guard 44 ,as may be convenient, is alens rim in which is supported a magnifying lens 52. This lens shouldhave at least a limited freedom of universal adjustment relative to itssupport and a universal connection providing'such freedom of movement isindicated at 54 operatively connected between the lens guard 44 andthelens'rim 50.

' A substantially vertical standard 56 is attached to the arm 38 orformed integrally therewith and at its lower end carries a roller 58which rides on the upper surface of dial I 8. I 3

Friction in the mounting of the roller 58 tends -to swing the disc 30 inthe direction of'rotation of the dial thus tending to carry the bulb 46and lens 52 along with the dial asthe work is applied. 'A support arm6!! is secured to the stud '22 below the bearing 24 and at its outer endcarries ahinge'd bracket 62 carrying a bearin'g '64- in which a shaft 66is journalled.

At its inner end the shaft 66 hasafriction roller 58' securedthereon andat'itsouterend a drive pulley l0. The drive pulley *is operativelyconnected by suitable means, such as the belt 12, with an element of themachine drive; as diagrammatically indicated by the pulley 14on shaftis, so that shaft 66 is rotated whenever the machine is in operation..7: V 1 p dicated inthe appended claims.

The hinged bracket 62 has a hinge joint 16 about which the shaft 66 mayoscillate under control of the foot pedal 18. In the arrangementillustrated the shaft is urged by suitable resilient means, such as thespring to swing about the hinge joint 16 to a position in which theroller 68 is'put ofcontact with the under surfaceli fjthe disc 30; Alever arm- 82' is connectd atone end to the bracket 62 above the hingejoint I6 and at its opposite end through "the intermediacy of a suitabletension member with thefoot pedalJB.

"With this arrangement when the foot pedal 18 is depressed, the Y pulley68 will be brought into frictional engagement with the under surface ofdisc 30 and when the foot pedal is' released the spring 80 will move theroller away from the disc.

V I When the disc driving roller 68 is out of contact with the disc 30dial contacting roller 68 willcausethe disc to rotate in the samedirection as the'dial. r

i This 'will swingthe 'arm 38 carrying the'magnifying lens and "lamp'in'the direction of dial r0! tation to follow the work applied to thedialpoints. Depression of the pedal 18, however, will cause the disc;'310:5to be driven in the ope posite direction by the disc drivingroller 68 causing'the'lamp and lensto swing in the direc. I

tion oppositeto dial rotation.

By properly controlling the foot pedal 18 the operator can causexthelamp and magnifying lens on arm38 to assume any deslredposition alongthe-arcof the dial where the Work is bein applied-to the dial points.The, universal mounte 'ing of the magnifying lens permits correct focusing of the lens on the dial points and by 'follow ing up the location ofthe point to which the loops are being applied'to the points the lenscan be accurately focused on the Work at all times. .When the running onoperation is complete the lens may be swung back and forth across thearc to inspect thework for any missed loops which can then bev appliedto avoid the formation of an imperfecttseam.

The lightbulb 4a andguard 44 are so con structedand are so. arrangedwith respect 'to;

the magnifyinglens 52 that the operators eyes are shielded from directlight but a sufficiently strongjlight isrefiected from the work and thedial points throu h the lens to provide excellent visibility of theworkas it is being applied to the dial points Y V 7 It will be obvioustothose skilled in the art that avarious changes may be made in theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof andtherefore the invention isnot limitedby. that which is shown in thedrawings and described in the specification but only as in- What isclaimedis:

1. A .visualaid attachment for a looping machine having a rotatable dialand a relatively fixed'studi at the centerofsaid ldial, .saidattachm'ent comprisingfadiscImounted on said stud for free ro tation'relative thereto; an arm extending outwardly from said disc ;;amagnifying lens carried vat the outer end of said arm in position to Vmagnify thedialpoints at the location at which worlris applied thereto;a dial contacting roller carried by said arm to move said lens with'said"dial"to 'foll'ow'the application of work'to said points; and-means forswingin said lens in the opposite direction comprising an arm on saidstudia hinged 'bracketgon saidarm, a shaft journalled in said bracket, aroller on one end of said shaft frictionally engageable with said disc,a drive pulley on said shaft operatively connected with the drivingmechanism of said machine, holding means associated with said shaftcarried roller to normally hold said roller out of contact with saiddisc, and operator controlled means operative to bring said frictionroller into driving contact with said disc.

2. A visual aid attachment for a loopin machine having a rotatable dialand a relatively fixed stud at the center of said dial, said attachmentcomprising a disc mounted on said stud for free rotation relativethereto; an arm extending outwardly from said disc; a magnifying lensand a shielded light source carried at the outer end of said arm; a dialcontacting roller carried by said arm to move said lens and light sourcewith said dial to follow the application of work to said dial points;and means for moving said lens and light source in the oppositedirection comprising a roller normally out of engagement butfrictionally engageable with said disc, means for driving said normallydisengaged disc roller; and operator controlled means for bringing saidroller into frictional engagement with said disc.

3. A visual aid attachment for a looping machine having a rotatable dialand a relatively fixed stud at the center of said dial, said attachmentcomprising a disc mounted on said stud for free rotation relativethereto; an arm extending outwardly from said disc; a magnifying lenscarried at the outer end of said arm in position to magnify the dialpoints in the location that the work is applied thereto; a dialcontacting roller carried by said arm to move said lens with said dialto follow the application of work to said dial points; and meanscontrollable by the foot of the operator drivingly associated with saiddisc to move said lens in the opposite direction.

4. A visual aid attachment for a looping machine having a rotatable dialand a relatively fixed stud at the center of said dial, said attachmentcomprising a disc mounted on said stud for free rotation relativethereto; an arm extending outwardly from said disc; a magnifying lenscarried at the outer end of said arm in position to magnify the dialpoints at the location to which work is applied thereto; meansassociated with said disc to move said lens with said dial to follow theapplication of work to said points; and means also associated with saiddisc and includin a foot pedal, operative to move said lens in theopposite direction at the will of the operator.

5. A visual aid attachment for a looping machine as defined in claim 4wherein an anti-friction bearing is interposed between said disc andsaid stud and a collar disposed on said stud to facilitate positioningsaid bearing thereon,

6. A visual aid attachment for a looping machine having a rotatable dialand a relatively fixed stud at the center of said dial, said attachmentcomprising rotatable means associated with said stud and supporting anarm extending outwardly therefrom; a magnifying lens carried by said armand positioned to magnify the dial points in the location that the workis applied thereto; means carried by said arm to move said lens withsaid dial to follow the application of work to said dial points; andoperator controlled means associated with said first mentioned meansoperative to move said lens in the opposite direction.

SHEPARD SCHWARTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,949,416 Halnes Jr. Mar. 6, 19341,970,910 Haines Jr. Aug. 21, 1934

